Teaching Philosophy

The Orff Approach

Carl Orff (1895-1982) was a German composer and educator who defined the ideal music for children as "meaningful only in active participation", and he wanted students to "experience first, then intellectualize." Based on this, the Orff approach builds understanding of concepts and skills through connecting students with the music by experiencing in many different areas that include speech/chants, movement, singing, drama, and by playing instruments.

The Orff philosophy encourages children to experience music at their own level of understanding and through their natural environment of play. Improvisation is encouraged to allow children to explore the possibilities in music, thus making it a creative and rewarding experience for the children.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN THE CLASSROOM

SINGING & SAYING

The voice is our first instrument. My students sing folk songs, choral songs, we create our own songs and speak poems and rhymes. We connect the rhythm of language with music.

PLAYING

Instruments like xylophones, drums, and other percussion are used regularity, and in third grade, students begin their study in recorder playing. We use pentatonic scales primarily that make playing any note tuneful and easy for children.

COLLABORATING

My class is an ensemble that works as a team. We share ideas, ask questions, reflect, refine, and present our ideas as a group.

Dancing

In class, I teach folk dances, historical dances, and create original choreography. We learn about stretching, body alignment, and practice strength and balance. Students often create their own movement to go along with the music.

Imitation

We learn effective musical and movement behaviors by imitating quality models. It is a great way to practice.

Exploration

Discovering the possibilities within a new idea, sound, or skill. How many ways can we answer a question or examine an idea? Orff says "experience first, then intellectualize."

Improvisation

Improvisation, or making up your own ideas can seem daunting, however, with structure, the children can create their own rhythm, melody or dance by synthesizing the ideas discovered through exploration and applying them in a meaningful way. This is a great way to demonstrate learning and develop creativity.

Composition

Organizing ideas and recording them in some way to perform them again helps music students learn and use notation.

Performing

We share our work in performances and sometimes in school assemblies.

CREATIVITY

Working as individuals, with partners, small groups, or as a whole class help students express themselves in many ways.

REFELCTION/MINDFULNESS

Students take the time to reflect on our work and deepen their understanding.

As a trained Orff Schulwerk educator, my approach to teaching music is to start with what children do instinctively--play! Kids invent everyday with each other on the playground with rhymes, songs or hand-clapping patterns, and play is a natural place to start. With this active and creative foundation, Orff teachers are able to build musicianship through singing, playing instruments, speech, and movement. Orff Schulwerk music and movement pedagogy enriches the learning experience not just in music class, but in many other aspects outside of the arts.

For more examples of how the Orff approach to teaching is a model for optimal learning in 21st Century classrooms, click here:

What is Orff Schulwerk? - American Orff-Schulwerk AssociationBuilding Musicianship and More…In Every Learner Releasing creativity that extends far beyond the music classroom, Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman conceived an approach to building musicianship in every learner through the integration of music, movement, speech, and drama. A Teaching Model for Optimal Learning In Orff Schulwerk classrooms, children begin with what they do instinctively:... Read more »

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